The votes are in and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee has spoken.
A total of 28 faculty members were nominated this academic year as All-Star faculty members, a designation that acknowledges the hard work of professors who have provided inspiration and served as mentors to students.
Members of the SAAC narrowed the field down to their 10 top choices and honored those professors Saturday evening at halftime of the men’s basketball game against Alcorn State at the Dunn-Oliver Acadome.
Among those honored included Dr. Carlos Morrison (Communications – nominated by golfer Sylvia Masango), Mr. Coke Ellington (Communications – nominated by women’s basketball player Jasmine Peeples and golfer Dan Park), Mr. Derrick Coleman (Accounting instructor—nominated by golfer Ian Mmbando and tennis player Stefan Vojnic), Dr. Bertis English (History – nominated by softball player Jazzmin Romero), Dr. Joseph Pete (rehabilitation services – nominated by football player Damian Love), Dr. Kartz Bibb (Biology – nominated by men’s basketball player Luther Page), Ms. Connie Dacus (physical education – nominated by baseball player Derron Simmons), Dr. Cleon Barnett (physics – nominated by tennis player Arantxis Wijgaarde.) Professors who could not attend that were selected included Dr. Tyson Platt and Dr. Philip Blackmon.
“A lot of the professors that were on the floor today have been a huge part of the student’s lives—not just in the classroom, but also outside of it,” said SAAC President Kourtney Berry, who also plays linebacker on the football team.
The acknowledgeable coincided with Educator’s Appreciation Day and professors received a certificate of appreciation from their students.
Many of the administrators have had a long-standing dedication to Alabama State in serving the education of young minds. Berry noted that a couple of the professors taught his mother, who is an alumnus of ASU.
“Now, that everybody knows who was picked, they [the professors] will probably feel like they have a title on their belt,” Berry said half-jokingly. “Whether or not I’m the president next year, I believe this is something that can get better each year.
